News
Botanical gardens set to grow with new funding

Mar. 20, 2013, Toronto — The Canadian Nursery Landscape Association is
teaming up with 19 botanical gardens and arboreta across Canada,
planting the seeds for a new collaborative initiative aimed at
increasing sustainability.

The two-year "Cultivating Our Market: Growing Awareness of and Visitorship at Canada's Botanical Gardens" project is meant to develop and engage new audiences. The project is made possible by a $595,000 grant from the Department of Canadian Heritage's Canada Cultural Investment Fund.

“The Canadian Nursery Landscape Association is excited to be partnering with the botanical gardens on this project; we believe strongly in their mission to bring together people, plants and nature,” said Bill Hardy of CNLA. “We look forward to working with them to inspire and educate the public about the many benefits of horticulture.”

The CNLA is the sole horticultural industry partner involved in the project.

Cultivating Our Market will research the ways in which botanical gardens can benefit the Canadian public, with an emphasis on opportunities arising from shifting demographics and changing environmental conditions around the world. This information will support the creation of marketing tools to assist the participants in finding better ways to increase engagement through attendance, membership and financial support.

The project sprang from discussion with members of the Canadian Botanical Conservation Network (CBCN). Participating organizations include:

• Niagara Parks Botanical Garden
• Royal Botanical Gardens
• The Arboretum, University of Guelph
• Tofino Botanical Garden
• Toronto Botanical Garden
• Toronto Zoo
• University of Alberta Devonian Botanic Garden
• Memorial University of Newfoundland Botanical Gardens
• University of British Columbia Botanical Garden
• VanDusen Botanical Garden
• Calgary Zoo & Botanical Garden
• Fredericton Botanic Garden
• Groundswell Network Society
• Harriet Irving Botanical Gardens
• Humber Arboretum
• Jardin botanique de Montreal
• Jardins de métis/Reford Gardens
• Memorial University of Newfoundland Botanical Gardens
• Milner Gardens and Woodland
• Muttart Conservatory

“Botanical gardens and arboreta are wonderful cultural resources for Canada,” said Dr. David A. Galbraith, president of the Canadian Botanical Conservation Network and head of science at the Royal Botanical Gardens. “Their educational programs, research undertakings, park spaces, and plant collections represent important regional, local, and national resources that people can use to improve their well-being. This project will help botanical gardens across Canada reach out to the public and also improve their financial sustainability.”